Automotive collision repair device

ABSTRACT

Unibody devices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. Some devices of the present invention can be positioned on a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel. Various embodiments of the present invention advantageously comprise a sidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close to but preferably other than 90° to a main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidably positionable on the main beam and comprises at least one clamp for securing the sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/307,823, filed Jul.25, 2001.

[0002] The present invention is directed to devices for repairingvehicles that have been damaged due to collisions.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many types of vehicle straightening devices have been disclosedin the past. The present invention is directed to devices which offeradvantages over prior devices for straightening damaged vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Various embodiments of the present invention relate to unibodydevices that are easily assembled on a damaged vehicle. For example, inmost instances, the devices of the present invention can be positionedon a vehicle by simply jacking up the vehicle and removing one wheel.The device can then advantageously be rolled under the vehicle andsecured to the vehicle prior to performing a straightening “pull”. Thevarious embodiments of the present invention advantageously comprise asidearm which is disposed at an angle preferably close to but preferablyother than 90° to a main beam. The sidearm is advantageously slidablypositionable on the main beam and comprises at least one clamp forsecuring the sidearm to a vehicle being repaired.

[0005] These and other embodiments will be appreciated from the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of a connector utilized witha preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a top piece of the connector.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a bottom portion of theconnector shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The various embodiments of the present invention relate tovehicle repair devices useful for repairing vehicles that have been incollisions. With reference to the attached drawings, this inventioncomprises a pulling beam 100 pivotally connected to a pulling arm 90 andmovable via a hydraulic ram 110 which is preferably connected to a footpedal and a source of compressed air (not shown). The pulling beam 100is part of a segmented main beam, also comprising segments 26 and 28.This main beam is advantageously movable via casters 40 located on twocross arms 22 and 24. The main beam is adapted to be connected to thepinch welds of a vehicle utilizing clamps 50 and 51. These clamps areadvantageously selectively positionable along the main beam utilizingmovable clamp supports 60 and 61 which are secured to the main beamprior to operation of the pulling arm 90.

[0012] A sidearm 110 is connected to the main beam via connector 200.The sidearm also advantageously comprises a clamp 150 and a clampsupport 160. The sidearm is also movable via casters 140 which aremounted on cross arm 122.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view which better illustrates the angle of sidearm110 relative to the main beam. According to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the sidearm is disposed at an angle other than90° to the main beam. In this illustrated embodiment, the longitudinalaxis of the sidearm 110 forms an interior angle of about 85° with thelongitudinal axis of the main beam.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a closeup perspective view of connector 200 which isformed in two segments connected by four bolts 201-204. Connector 200comprises a top piece 210 and a bottom piece 230.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of top piece 210 which comprises spaced,guide plates 211 and 212 which are securely fastened to a top plate 210,e.g. by welding. Each of the guide plates comprises an outer portionwhich is flared outwardly in the manner illustrated in order tofacilitate insertion of sidearm 110 into position between the guideplates 211 and 212. The outer portions 216 and 217 of top plate 210 areadvantageously flared upwardly. While this embodiment shows a relativelyminor portion of this top plate 210 flared upwardly, a greater portioncan be flared as desired. This upward flare of top plate 210 is designedto accommodate unevenness of the working surface on which the entirestraightening device rests. From the present description, those skilledin the art will appreciate that if the floor area on which casters 140rest is slightly higher than the floor area on which casters 40 rests,then sidearm 110 will be angled slightly upwardly relative to the mainbeam. The flares in the top plate help accommodate these highvariations.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom plate 230 whichpreferably comprises nuts 211-214 adapted to receive bolts 201-204. Thisbottom plate 230 comprises downwardly flared outer portions 236 and 237and guide plates which are securely connected to the bottom plate, forexample, by welding. The bottom plate guide channels 231 and 232 areadvantageously positioned on an angle to a central longitudinal axis ofbottom plate 230 and also have outwardly flared outer portions in orderto facilitate insertion of the side beam into connector 200.

[0017] The illustrated connector 200 is designed so that both sets ofguide plates are angled in the same direction. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, sidearm 110 is angled slightly toward thecross bar 24. If the sidearm was inserted into the opposite side ofconnector 200, the sidearm would still be angled slightly toward thecross bar 24. If it is desired to angle the sidearm in the oppositedirection, the connector 200 can simply be rotated 180 degrees. Toaccomplish this, the technician would remove bolts 201-204 from the topof the top plate 210, rotate both the top plate and the bottom platewhile keeping the top plate on top and the bottom plate on the bottom,and refasten the bolts. It is also within the scope of the presentinvention to use a plurality of connectors and sidearms with a singlemain beam.

[0018] The precise angle at which the sidearm attaches to the main beamcan be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention,but the sidearm 110 is preferably not exactly perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the main beam.

[0019] The present invention provides for a quick setup of the autobodyrepair device and can be utilized without the need for placing theentire vehicle on a lift or jack stands. The present invention can bereadily installed by simply jacking up one corner of a vehicle andremoving one wheel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for straightening damaged body ofvehicles comprising: a first elongated member which is selectivelypositionable under a damaged body of a vehicle while three wheels of thevehicle rest on the ground; a second elongated member selectivelyattachable to said first elongated member at an angle of about 60 toabout 85 degrees; two clamps slidably mounted on said first elongatedmember for attaching said first elongated member to pinch welds of saiddamaged unibody; a clamp slidably mounted on said second elongatedmember for attaching said second elongated member to a pinch weld ofsaid damaged unibody; and means for applying a pulling force selectivelyconnectable to at least one of said first end and said second end ofsaid first elongated member.
 2. A device according to claim 1 whereinsaid second elongated member is connected to said first elongated memberwith a connector which is slidably positionable on said first elongatedmember.
 3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said connectorcomprises at least one positioning guide which is flared outwardly at anangle to a generally horizontal plane in order to facilitate insertionof said second elongated member into said connector.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 3 wherein said connector comprises at least onepositioning guide which is flared outwardly at an angle to a generallyhorizontal plane in order to facilitate insertion of said secondelongated member into said connector.
 5. A device according to claim 2wherein said connector comprises at least one positioning guide which isflared outwardly at an angle to a generally horizontal plane in order tofacilitate insertion of said second elongated member into saidconnector.